Annapolis Buy Nothing Groups: The Impact of Free

If we’ve learned anything over the past few years, it’s that no one wants our “stuff.” However, people involved in the Buy Nothing Project know that’s not true. The Buy Nothing Project (BN) began in 2013 with the objective of keeping usable items out of the landfill. Today, the Buy Nothing Project has 10 million members who exchange 2.6 million gifts every month in 230,000 groups around the globe. No money is exchanged. Whether it’s the top to your grandmother’s long-gone china sugar bowl, a bag full of 5T clothes, or Ninja Turtle party decorations, someone almost always wants it. On the other hand, whether you need a half teaspoon of baking powder or a car, BN group members come through for each other every day.

In this magical online realm, hyperlocal groups of people gather online (usually via Facebook) to post what they are searching for or, more often, what they want to “gift” (a.k.a. give away). Usually pick-ups are no-contact and flexible. You do not need to post your address publicly but rather share it with the individual you select to gift the item to, typically in a private message. Hard-working group admins do their best to maintain privacy of the group and verify that only members living in that geographic area are allowed in.

Severna Park BN group co-admin Erica Rodriguez said, “Serving as a volunteer co-admin with Buy Nothing has completely changed my outlook on almost everything in life– from modeling what true neighborly kindness looks like for my kids, to truly saving our Earth from our abundance, to understanding that everyone has needs (no one is ‘needy’), and finally to what this world could look like if we all took a few moments a day to intentionally help one another in a meaningful way. Serving as an admin can be a lot of work, but it is more than worth it, and refills ‘my cup.’”

BN also allows members to request or offer a service. For example, Jaymie Elaine Coffett, a stay-at mom and member of an Annapolis BN group, offered free manicures for high school girls going to the prom. Also, members can also request to borrow an item rather than keep it. I’ve seen requests to borrow chainsaws, microwaves, crutches–really anything you can think of!

BN groups also encourage posting gratitude, so you will see pictures posted of newly-claimed gifts— from plants by the front door to the race car bed that’s now home to a six-year-old speed freak.

BN groups are a win on so many levels: reducing waste going to landfills, saving local families money on things they would otherwise plan to buy new, saving fuel on all those two-day deliveries…and perhaps one unexpected consequence I’ve found as a member of BN–creating meaningful connections within the community!

Ready to join a group near you? Check out the list below for a group near you. If you don’t see one in your area–maybe it’s your time to take charge and start a new group in your neighborhood!

The question is, what gifts do you have to offer? Because the gifting culture is growing, and Annapolis is here for it!

List of Buy Nothing Groups in Anne Arundel County

As of 28 January 2024

[ALL GROUPS LISTED BELOW SUBJECT TO CHANGE. Please reach out to the admins of each group listed if you encounter technical difficulties joining your hyperlocal group.]